Stellum Serpens Single Barrel Rye

F9 116.86 proof 58.49% Aroma-rye and honey are the first things I’m picking up. There’s a tropical fruit here, and some citrus as well, just can’t quite pin point which fruit. The baking spices rounds on the nose with a nice cinnamon. Much different profile from the previous bottle that I had. Taste - Wow this one is screaming hot. All heat on that first sip. Second sip and the alcohol is still very much present but I’m picking up tons of rye spice now, mint, bubblegum. There’s a lot going on here but I’m struggling to find exactly what I’m tasting to be honest. There’s a massive rush of flavors all at once and the alcohol and rye dominates the finish. Overall- once again, this one is extremely bold.. and extremely hot. Not something that most would enjoy neat but personally, I enjoy it. update * After a few weeks, I came back to the bottle. The heat has dramatically decreased and the rye spice really dominates the palate along with some sweet notes of brown sugar and pie-like crust with fall baking spices. Crazy just how much this has changed after being opened in just a few weeks. Much more approachable.

Unknown pick origin 58.12% abv; 116.24 proof Received 2 oz sample from a friend Nose - Pine needles, mint, eucalyptus, butterscotch, honeysuckle, clove, light oak, and strong ethanol. Palate - Spiced orange, delicate honeysuckle and flowers, white sugar, sweet cereal grain, clove, allspice, pine sap, and mint. Finish is medium-long with cloying, oily rye bread, toffee, hot cinnamon mint, pine, and medium ethanol. This pick is significantly better than the standard Stellum Rye. The standard version is mediocre for the money, there are tons of ryes in that price range that are better. The original is all spice and heat without complexity or sweetness. This has more baking spice and floral sweet notes. If you can find a store pick, I say go for it.

A classic 95/5 Indiana rye. Lots of spice and a solid kick of caramel. Lots of mint and pepper on the nose. Not significant amounts of dill, thankfully. Palate delivers a lot of bite, between the cask strength ABV and massive amounts of rye. Subsides somewhat to give a sweeter finish of caramel. Then more pepper. A nice rich mouthfeel. For the price, it’s solid. I’d suggest you buy if you enjoy the MGP 95/5 profile. Personally, not my jam, but significantly better than Bulliet Rye.

Store pick. 117.74 proof. Serpens Nose- quite floral, perfume, vanilla extract, citrus Taste- creamy orange vanilla, apricot, Sprite citrus, rye spice, Graham cracker crust Finish- thinner mouthfeel. Loads of spice, vanilla and aniseed Easy sipper with loads of citrus notes. Perfect summer rye.

Thanks Ryan! R/bourbon single barrel rye. Nose has lots of rye, French oak, and vanilla extract. Some herbal spiciness there as well. Flavor is beautifully smooth with licorice candy notes, lots of rye, and a hint of horehound. Damn that's a beautiful whisky.

Mollys barrel pick 2022. Nose is baking spice, spicy rye bite, ethanol, and a hint of an herbal minty thing going on. Palate is nice, finish is nicer! Spicy but sweet with almost a malty finish. Will revisit when less busy.